Guitars 26

In this video, James Bay talks about picking up a guitar when he first heard ... more

In this video, James Bay talks about picking up a guitar when he first heard Layla by Eric Clapton at age 11. He describes some of the characteristics of his 1966 Epiphone Century electric guitar, and why he thinks it’s a great guitar for him:

“I’ve wound up with this red Epiphone Century, it was made in 1966, so it’s an old one. And there’s a lot to be said for old guitars, everybody thinks they’re kind of great for various reasons. And new guitars are great too! But this is a really nice piece of wood. It’s just put together well, and it’s aged well and I can say all this stuff and sound like a guitar geek. But at the end of the day, I saw it and I liked the look of it, and when I started playing it, it felt good. That’s what it comes down to, does it feel good. I like the fact that this is an electric guitar, but it hasn’t got a plain G-string, it’s got a wound G-string kind of like an acoustic guitar - exactly like an acoustic guitar. I just like that it’s difficult, I get a great feeling out of that. And it makes a great sound, it’s kind of like - it’s just the right kind of jangly, just the right kind of thick. Heavy… woody… electric… I love it. It’s just… there’s something about it.”

Total Guitar interview, James Bay talk about both his 2 Epiphone Century guitars:

In this video of James Bay performing the song 'Let It Go' for Burberry Acous... more

In this video of James Bay performing the song 'Let It Go' for Burberry Acoustic, he can be seen playing an Epiphone EJ-200CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar in a Natural finish. Close-ups and details of the guitar can be seen throughout the video.

In this Instagram photo, James Bay shows off the headstock of a Harmony Strat... more

In this Instagram photo, James Bay shows off the headstock of a Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar, and his caption implies it's the guitar he's going to play that day: "Today's mighty axe #steelreinforcedneck" (posted April 2014)

In this Instagram, James Bay can be seen holding/hugging his new guitar, a 19... more

In this Instagram, James Bay can be seen holding/hugging his new guitar, a 1964 Gibson ES-330. He captions the photo, "I finally got it!! The guitar of my dreams! We're going to run away together.. #thanksbye"

In the comments, he replies to a couple users, confirming the year and model of this electric guitar: "'64 ES330 mmmmhmmmm x"

In this interview with James Bay, it is mentioned that Buzzfeed "invited the ... more

In this interview with James Bay, it is mentioned that Buzzfeed "invited the Hitchin-born singer (and his beautiful D'Angelico EX-59) to stop by our offices[...]". It can also be clearly seen in the photos and GIFs that accompany the interview, found here. His EX-59 looks to be a black finish with a rosewood fingerboard.

James Bay offers the following advice:

Your fingers are going to hurt.

You’re going to get hand cramps.

Get used to tuning and restringing your guitar — you’re going to have to do it a lot.

You’re going to suck at first — embrace it.

Practice is more important than gear.

Play with more experienced guitarists.

There’s a reason electrical guitars are easier to play.

Artistic expression is more important than technical skills.

There are a lot of ways to learn; choose the one that’s right for you.

In this Instagram video, James Bay is in the dressing room after a June 2015 ... more

In this Instagram video, James Bay is in the dressing room after a June 2015 show in Köln. He can be seen jamming on a black Danelectro DC 59M NOS electric guitar. He admits it isn't owned by him, and instead belongs to "Jack". He says:

"Came off stage in Köln last night, didn't want to stop! Post show #dressingroomjam on Jack's new axe"

This might be a photo from his earlier work, he using a strat
Photos taken... more

This might be a photo from his earlier work, he using a strat

Photos taken on July 25, 2010 at the Rythms Of The World festival in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK. Playing with the James Bay Band.
Photos taken by James Boardman, who was the bass player in an earlier band James played guitar in, called RoadRunner

James Bay, Incredible singer songwriter from the UK playing a cover of Bruce ... more

James Bay, Incredible singer songwriter from the UK playing a cover of Bruce Springsteen "I'm on fire". In an interview with Acoustic Magazines, talking about the SJ-200 "I don't know, it's really great!" It seems that the Jumbo body guitars are apart of the iconic James Bay sound, noted by his Epiphone EJ-200 played whilst busking in Brighton until the early period of his career.

James Bay uses a red Gibson SG junior electric guitar in this video of him pe... more

James Bay uses a red Gibson SG junior electric guitar in this video of him performing "(You Know) I'm Losing You" at Brixton Academy on Sept 30, 2015 (with special guest Ronnie Wood). A good look at the guitar can be had at 1:56.

James Bay interview with Bonedo Das Musikerportal during the Hurricane festival on June 25th 2016
Interview in German translated with Google translate.

James talk about the Gibson Les Paul Junior "And for loosening I have a 1965 Les Paul Junior SG: Just two pieces of wood, neck and body, a P-90 pickup, one volume and one tone knob. I love them - so simple".

James Bay official Twitter Page:
"#tb to me, @andycortes87 & Jack Duxbury stopping by @collingsguitars Austin,TX. Thank you for this very tasty 290"

Total Guitar Magazine December 2015:
Under the picture of the Gibson les Paul Junior it says:
"James' SG-Shape Les Paul Junior comes out for 'Best Fake Smile' in the live shows. He's also been using a Collings 290 DC S for that song"

At BBC Biggest Weekend festival in 2018 James opened his set using an Epiphon... more

At BBC Biggest Weekend festival in 2018 James opened his set using an Epiphone Coronet for the song 'Wasted on Each Other' and is pictured on his official instagram holding the guitar before going on stage. He also says in an interview with Epiphone prior to the 2nd album release: "There are a few Epiphone solid body guitars, like the Coronet, that I'd love to spend some time with."

Amplifiers 5

In an interview about James Bay's album Chaos And The Calm and the gear he us... more

In an interview about James Bay's album Chaos And The Calm and the gear he uses live and in the studio, James Bay talks a bit about his amps of choice.

While recording Chaos And The Calm in the studio, he used a "late-60s 'silverface' Twin" and loved the sound he got through it, particularly with P-90 pickups. However, he laments that carrying a vintage Fender Twin around on tour is impossible, due to it "breaking every five minutes". James Bay then talks about discovering Tone King amps:

"But then I found Tone King amps, which are made by a guy called Mark Bartel in Baltimore. I now play live through a Tone King Sky King. It's so clear but warm, and it breaks up just in the right way."

"I do like break-up, but I don't like it to be too aggressive. I like to work to get it to feel aggressive. It also has a built-in [Ironman] attenuator, which is this beautiful thing that allows you the same tones when you click down to different volumes. This amp has some of the greatest sounds ever."